How to Keep Energy Bills Down by Investing in a Solar Panel System

August 28, 2018

dominickciccarelli

The sheer cost of energy bills makes owning a home an expensive affair. The cost of traditional sources of power such as natural gas, nuclear, and hydroelectric generators is on the rise and so, the need of the hour is a solar panel system on your property. Dominick Ciccarelli, an architect and a licensed contractor with the New York Department of Buildings, has worked with numerous homeowners for installing solar panel systems with damage to the already built structure of your home. He advises homeowners to evaluate various factors before installing the solar panels.
Various factors such as climate, HVAC system quality/age, habits of the property occupant and home insulation systems decide the energy bill you receive. Smart tweaks and intelligent investments can help you cut costs and make a difference. According to Dominick Ciccarelli, the following factors need to be evaluated before investing in a solar panel system.

Evaluate your sunlight exposure

The more you’re property is exposed to the sun, the more energy would be produced by the solar panels. Since solar panels depend entirely on sunlight, make sure that the area you live in and your property receive an average amount of sunlight everyday. Roof type, amount of shade and your property’s orientation towards the sun must also be considered before the solar panels are placed. To be able to assess the best area for your solar panels, it is imperative to hire an expert architect.

Estimate residential solar panel cost

Solar panels are not cheap. They are an investment. For an average residential home’s 5kW size system, the cost of the panels runs somewhere between $3 and $5 per watt. While you might feel the investment is huge, remember that solar panel systems are built to last at least 20 years and they require minimal maintenance. When deciding on a system, calculate the amount of energy you consume and then compare it with the numerous systems available. Select the one that will fulfill your energy needs.

Changes in the government policies

Any changes in government prices can affect the price of solar panel systems. In January 2018, President Trump imposed a four-year tariff on imported solar cells and panels that start at 30% and will drop 5% each year through 2021. Although this tariff is set to raise the usual cost of installation, it is still an extremely wise investment.

The decision to install a solar panel system is a big one and should be finalized on after discussing it with experts. According to Dominick, an architect can help you determine if you require any extra permits for the installation of the panels to the structure.